Alcatraz Adventures!
Key Word: SF adventures, SF Sites, national parks, Alcatraz
Are you still worrying about what you should do with your kids, families and loved ones this coming weekend? Look no further, a trip back in time to one of America’s toughest prisons awaits! Alcatraz was home to some of history’s most notorious gangsters such as: Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, John Dillinger and Whitey Bulger. Only a short ride from the San Francisco mainland, a day trip to the Alcatraz prison will give you an in depth look to life on the rock!
Alcatraz is located in the middle of San Francisco bay and is only accessible by ferry from Pier 33. The Alcatraz prison is currently run by the national park service and Is open to the public year-round for guided and behind the scenes tours. This experience is not something you should miss and is a monument of American history. You will not be disappointed with a trip back in time to see the home of Americas most wanted gangsters.
Date & Time: Year-round, best season is May - October. To capture daily park conditions please make sure to check with the park service.
Location: Pier 33 Alcatraz Cruises, The Embarcadero San Francisco CA 94133
What will you do?
Alcatraz island is only accessible by boat through Alcatraz cruises located on pier 33. Tours of the island begin at 8:45 and the evening tour can go as late as 8:45 PM. The tour starts with a brief history of the island and optional mug shot pictures for purchase. When you board the boat, the ride over to the island is about 20 min and during the ride you will hear the history of some of the inmates who spent time on Alcatraz. Upon arriving at the island, you will be greeted by the park service and taken to the start of the tour. You have the option to purchase a behind the scenes tour or an automated guided tour that will take you around the island. The tour is very comprehensive and includes: the cell blocks, dining facilities, warden quarters, guard houses and recreation yard. Throughout the tour you will hear about different inmates on the island and be taken to the cell of Frank Morris, the only inmate to have successfully escaped Alcatraz. The automated tour will walk you through the daring 1962 escape and the story to date. The escape was never confirmed, Frank Morris and his partners in the escape were never found.
As you complete the tour you will be taken through the extensive gift shop on the island and a small snack bar to grab some afternoon snacks. There is a regular ferry back to the mainland, boats leave every 20 – 30 minutes. This tour is a great experience for a new comer to San Francisco, out of town visitors, and bay area veterans.
Price: Prices range depending on which tour you select. You can check the park service website for the most up to date pricing information.
Park Service: https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/departure-schedule
Prices start at $37.25 for the early bird tour and can be as high as $83.25 per person for the behind the scenes tour. Family tickets are available for $112.75 for 2 adults and 2 children, this only apples to the early bird and day tour. All other options please consult the park service. As mentioned above, boats leave the island and the mainland every 30 minutes so there is a lot of flexibility to return when is best for your schedule.
Places to Eat: These local eateries are nearby for when you have worked up an appetite.
Helpful Tips:
Are you still worrying about what you should do with your kids, families and loved ones this coming weekend? Look no further, a trip back in time to one of America’s toughest prisons awaits! Alcatraz was home to some of history’s most notorious gangsters such as: Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, John Dillinger and Whitey Bulger. Only a short ride from the San Francisco mainland, a day trip to the Alcatraz prison will give you an in depth look to life on the rock!
Alcatraz is located in the middle of San Francisco bay and is only accessible by ferry from Pier 33. The Alcatraz prison is currently run by the national park service and Is open to the public year-round for guided and behind the scenes tours. This experience is not something you should miss and is a monument of American history. You will not be disappointed with a trip back in time to see the home of Americas most wanted gangsters.
Date & Time: Year-round, best season is May - October. To capture daily park conditions please make sure to check with the park service.
Location: Pier 33 Alcatraz Cruises, The Embarcadero San Francisco CA 94133
What will you do?
Alcatraz island is only accessible by boat through Alcatraz cruises located on pier 33. Tours of the island begin at 8:45 and the evening tour can go as late as 8:45 PM. The tour starts with a brief history of the island and optional mug shot pictures for purchase. When you board the boat, the ride over to the island is about 20 min and during the ride you will hear the history of some of the inmates who spent time on Alcatraz. Upon arriving at the island, you will be greeted by the park service and taken to the start of the tour. You have the option to purchase a behind the scenes tour or an automated guided tour that will take you around the island. The tour is very comprehensive and includes: the cell blocks, dining facilities, warden quarters, guard houses and recreation yard. Throughout the tour you will hear about different inmates on the island and be taken to the cell of Frank Morris, the only inmate to have successfully escaped Alcatraz. The automated tour will walk you through the daring 1962 escape and the story to date. The escape was never confirmed, Frank Morris and his partners in the escape were never found.
As you complete the tour you will be taken through the extensive gift shop on the island and a small snack bar to grab some afternoon snacks. There is a regular ferry back to the mainland, boats leave every 20 – 30 minutes. This tour is a great experience for a new comer to San Francisco, out of town visitors, and bay area veterans.
Price: Prices range depending on which tour you select. You can check the park service website for the most up to date pricing information.
Park Service: https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/departure-schedule
Prices start at $37.25 for the early bird tour and can be as high as $83.25 per person for the behind the scenes tour. Family tickets are available for $112.75 for 2 adults and 2 children, this only apples to the early bird and day tour. All other options please consult the park service. As mentioned above, boats leave the island and the mainland every 30 minutes so there is a lot of flexibility to return when is best for your schedule.
Places to Eat: These local eateries are nearby for when you have worked up an appetite.
- Hog Island Oyster Company: Best Seafood in San Francisco!
- One Ferry Building #11, San Francisco CA 94111
- Ferry Building Market Place: Extensive selection, farmers market every Saturday 9 – 1.
- One Ferry Building, San Francisco CA 94111
Helpful Tips:
- The state park does not allow dogs on or off of leash, our furry friends will have to catch the next one.
- Recommended items to bring:
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Sneakers (Lots of Walking)
- Snacks to get you through the tour.
- Park gets crowded later in the day, I would recommend an early arrival.
- Alcohol is not allowed in the park, save the beers for after the tour!